The 3-year-old attended the hospital's first pediatric oncology
Halloween Carnival at Corpus Christi Medical Center-Doctors Regional
Conference Center. The event featured games, pizza, popcorn, a comedian
and music for former and current patients.

Allen, dressed as a blue superhero from a Nickelodeon TV series,
went straight to the horses and visited each game repeatedly, said his
mother, Tanya Tuckett. Her son, who has been a patient since September,
enjoyed the carnival.

"It's great, and it's a nice little get-together," she said. "It's a
relaxed atmosphere where they don't have to be poked and bothered."

The free event celebrated both Halloween and the pediatric oncology
wing's one-year anniversary, said Nancy Fallwell, clinical nurse
coordinator. The wing has one pediatric oncology doctor who treats
about 150 patients ranging in age from infants to 22 years old.
Hospital staff expected about 80 to 90 patients to attend, she
said.

The carnival also featured Paws Up, a pet therapy program with the
Gulf Coast Humane Society. Chocolate Labrador Penny, miniature poodle
Rusty and Labrador retriever Bear were available for children to pet
and for pictures.

Children also could pet and take pictures with Kricket the horse and
Lightning, a 6-month-old pony, from the Corpus Christi Police Officers
Association.

Pito Alvarado, 16, of Kingsville watched as Rusty the poodle did the
Texas Two-Step, prancing on two legs for a treat. Pito said the best
part of the carnival was petting the animals.

"It's fun petting the horses," he said. "I used to ride, so I liked
petting them."

Delma Guerra, of Robstown, watched as her son Daniel, 12, played
musical chairs. Daniel, donning camouflage, has been a patient for
about a year but has had cancer since he was 7, she said.

"The carnival is nice," she said. "I'm sure they don't even think of
their illness right now. It's wonderful when they do stuff to feel
better about themselves."